Why your holiday might have unexpected costs
Nearly 200,000 UK passengers a month have had their luggage lost at airports over the last two years, travel insurance firm 'InsureandGo' has reported, with August the worst month, January the best and April usually slightly below average, with approximately 189,000 passengers losing out.
Almost a third of travellers (31 per cent) are so worried about lost baggage or items being stolen that they have unpacked articles and left them at home.
Perry Wilson, a spokesperson from InsureandGo, said: "BAA has come in for a lot of criticism over the last week or two over the problems at Terminal 5, but people have to realise that baggage delays and lost luggage have been a big problem at many airports in recent times, as our research shows.
"We are still very hopeful that the new baggage system at Terminal 5 will cut down on lost luggage once it has got over its teething troubles, and we would urge others in the airline industry to step up their efforts in improving the security of luggage as it passes through airports."
Travel insurance will compensate holidaymakers for mislaid baggage, but only after it has been declared officially lost. There is often an upper compensation limit.
April 14th 2008